Rapid and Successful Implementation of a COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Programme—The South African Experience

Viruses

Johan Koekemoer¹  Tinus Brits¹  Karin van den Berg²  Ronel Swanevelder²  Derrick Nelson²  Tanya Nadia Glatt²  Cynthia Nyoni²  Ute Jentsch²  Avril Swarts²  Caroline Hilton³  Thandeka Moyo-Gwete⁴  Penny L. Moore⁴  Cordelia Mmenu⁵  Jabulisile Jaza⁵  Itumeleng Phayane⁵  James Cowley⁵  Munzhedzi Kutama⁵  Marion Vermeulen⁵ 

[1] Information Technology Division, South African National Blood Service, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa;Medical Division, South African National Blood Service, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa;Medical Division, Western Cape Blood Service, Cape Town 7405, South Africa;National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg 2192, South Africa;Operations Division, South African National Blood Service, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa;

关键词: convalescent plasma;    SARS-CoV-2;    COVID-19;   

DOI  :  10.3390/v13102050

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Background: COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) has been considered internationally as a treatment option for COVID-19. CCP refers to plasma collected from donors who have recovered from and made antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. To date, convalescent plasma has not been collected in South Africa. As other investigational therapies and vaccination were not widely accessible, there was an urgent need to implement a CCP manufacture programme to service South Africans. Methods: The South African National Blood Service and the Western Cape Blood Service implemented a CCP programme that included CCP collection, processing, testing and storage. CCP units were tested for SARS-CoV-2 Spike ELISA and neutralising antibodies and routine blood transfusion parameters. CCP units from previously pregnant females were tested for anti-HLA and anti-HNA antibodies. Results: A total of 987 CCP units were collected from 243 donors, with a median of three donations per donor. Half of the CCP units had neutralising antibody titres of >1:160. One CCP unit was positive on the TPHA serology. All CCP units tested for anti-HLA antibodies were positive. Conclusion: Within three months of the first COVID-19 diagnosis in South Africa, a fully operational CCP programme was set up across South Africa. The infrastructure and skills implemented will likely benefit South Africans in this and future pandemics.

【 授权许可】

Unknown